68 Coronet, slow project in Napa, CA

[fesser]

Once you get that old starter out of there, replace it with a "mini". I like to stick with original stuff, but with the headers, the mini is the way to go, IMO. I did the same thing to mine with the paint. I started removing the top colors to get to the original layer, and the next thing that I knew (2 years later), it was re-painted in the original color. Yours looks better already!!

Thanks. I plan on running HP manifolds and TTI exhaust. I already bought a mini starter through Rockauto. When I was doing that, they had stock style starters for a ridiculously cheap price, so I got one of those too. Then I bought an old Winnebago for an overdrive and that engine has a mini on it too. So now I am like a starter hoarder. I am generally not a headers fan unless you are looking for HP as a primary need. Meaning, I like the look of stock engines, but would use headers if I was looking for as much power as I could get. After seeing how the headers wrapped around the starter on this car I predict they are not long for this world.

 

[fesser]

Don’t worry about rushing it, it’ll get done when it gets done. And I know the feeling, head on collision with a pot head 10 years ago killed my back.

It took me 5 years to get this one driving, it was a slow painful process, but it was worth it and I’d do it again!

Good luck with your project!

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Sorry to hear about your back. Your car looks great. I know I should take my time, but part of me feels like I am getting too old to waste time. I probably feel that way because for most of my life there was nothing I couldn't do (or at least try) due to physical limitations. Takes some getting used to to saying "I can't do that. Or at least not today". Thinking of driving it is a big motivator.

 

[Darter6]

I'm on year 8 with my project car. Should be road worthy this spring.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Sorry to hear about your back. Your car looks great. I know I should take my time, but part of me feels like I am getting too old to waste time. I probably feel that way because for most of my life there was nothing I couldn't do (or at least try) due to physical limitations. Takes some getting used to to saying "I can't do that. Or at least not today". Thinking of driving it is a big motivator.

Boy do I ever understand what your saying.... In my twenties projects took forever cause I was broke but by my thirties I was restoring a car every year to a year & a half.... In my forties I was still doing pretty good, life's priorities started getting in the way of cars but I was still able to finish three cars... Currently I'm in my mid sixties & I have two projects.... Both started as basket cases & both have their body work done, one is painted.. I need to finish these things...

 

[451Mopar]

If you need body panels, check what is available. I was looking at AMD and Year One for Panels for my '69 Coronet, and they don't have any full trunk or floor panels. Was able to get the 1/2 trunk floor panels and a passenger side 1/2 floorboard. No Drivers side floor in stock, and out of stock on many other panels.

 

[John Folz]

They do look a lot alike. Was yours originally red? Looks like some red peeking out above the bumper.

Originally a white exterior and red interior 383 Super Bee

Think the fender is from a different car

 

[fesser]

If you need body panels, check what is available. I was looking at AMD and Year One for Panels for my '69 Coronet, and they don't have any full trunk or floor panels. Was able to get the 1/2 trunk floor panels and a passenger side 1/2 floorboard. No Drivers side floor in stock, and out of stock on many other panels.

68 is even worse. I need fenders and a hood. I bought a 69 quarter that I am pretty sure I will need, but didn't want tp wait to find out as even the 69 stuff seems scarce these days.

 

[John Folz]

68 is even worse. I need fenders and a hood. I bought a 69 quarter that I am pretty sure I will need, but didn't want tp wait to find out as even the 69 stuff seems scarce these days.

I know what you mean. Currently in the process of restoring a 66 charger. Talk about hard to find parts

 

[4speed68rt]

You better save that hood if you can. They are hard to find and expensive to ship. Fenders can be patched, if they aren't that bad. I like to keep them as original as possible.

 

[fesser]

You better save that hood if you can. They are hard to find and expensive to ship. Fenders can be patched, if they aren't that bad. I like to keep them as original as possible.

The hood may end up needing surgery, but it is really bad. The P.O. not only cut out the vent areas but also cut out a bunch of the support underneath. Going to need at least a donor flat hood to get it firmed up enough to work on the bulge part. My fenders don't look bad, but they are wavy across the top and at least one of them is good friends with Bondo.

 

[4speed68rt]

It sounds like you need an inner hood and a good welder. All that other stuff, I just call battle scars. They give the car personality... They can't see all those flaws when you go by at 80 mph!!

 

[threewood]

That's a nice looking project. I really love the R/T's.

 

[Kern Dog]

How are your welding skills? If you can patch and weld, I can work you a deal on a fender that had the front end cut off.

I need the brace from it where the edge meets the door but I'd use another bent fender if I had one.

 

[fesser]

Thanks Kern, but I am going to keep searching for a complete fender(s). I don't weld all that well but have a friend who does. I kick myself for passing up a straight 4 door just after I got this car. Would have provided many parts. I will keep my eyes open.

 

[fesser]

Got the headers out with a lot of help from the sawzall. Driver's side muffler was bent in on itself. Suspect it got jammed at the same time as the driver's side of the rear bumper got pushed in.

 

[Darter6]

Out with the old !

 

[451Mopar]

I think someone had a '69 Hood for sale in the for sale area? They seem to be hard to find.

 

[fesser]

At a bit of a crossroads deciding whether I should just pull the engine/trans at this point, or put the new exhaust on and run it to see what's up with the trans. Leaning toward puliing the engine/trans so that I can clean up and paint the engine bay. In the meantime I pulled the interior. Floors and trunk are good which is nice. I am going to be putting in a console so I think I will work on getting the linkage and brackets squared away before pulling the engine.

And since you have to take the bad with the good...

That is the inside of the passenger side trunk. Someone hit it hard enough to crush the trunk extension. Pictures don't show it well but the quarter is a welded rippled, bondo'd mess.

 

[fesser]

I think someone had a '69 Hood for sale in the for sale area? They seem to be hard to find.

There was a guy selling a hood in CO that is not interested in shipping at any cost. Supposed to have some damage by the hinge area but I couldn't see it in his photos. There is a guy in CA selling the two scoop 69 hood, but it would be a lot of money spent to make my car look wrong.

 

[threewood]

If the trans is slipping I would pull it and go through it.